HODGSON AND BOSTROM RETURN TO ACTION IN VIRGINIA FOR PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI Alton (Virginia): Neil Hodgson and Ben Bostrom of the Parts Unlimited Ducati Team will race the AMA Superbike doubleheader at Virginia International Raceway this weekend. The experienced Ducati 999 pilots will compete against the rest of the AMA Superbike field at the 2.25-mile (3.22-kilometer) circuit in Saturday and Sunday’s National Championship races. Both riders will look to rebound after a trying Mid-Ohio race weekend. Neil Hodgson is currently fourth in AMA Superbike points with just five races to go. The former World Superbike champion coming off a top-five finish at Mid-Ohio says Virginia is a challenging track for the riders. “I’m looking forward to the race at Virginia,” says Hodgson. “It’s one of the better circuits in my opinion and I quite like the track. It’s a technical track but safe and it emphasizes having a good setup.” Ben Bostrom is feeling no ill effects from his Sunday crash at Mid-Ohio, one that saw him fighting for position in the top five of Sunday’s race before crashing at the Keyhole turn. Bostrom has seen his pace increase at recent events, but bad luck in the races has Ben wanting more in Virginia. “We’ve upped the pace in the middle of the season, but haven’t had things go our way so far,” says Bostrom. “I love the Ducati 999. It’s really fun to ride and makes you want to ride it hard. We want to win one of these badly and the team has been working hard to make it happen. My confidence is up and we’ll do our best in Virginia to try to give the Ducati fans something to cheer about.” The Circuit: After the scenic Virginia International Raceway fell into a decades-long racing hiatus, the facility was revamped and AMA racing returned for the 2001 season. Available for use in numerous configurations, AMA Superbike races take place on the North Course, officially rated at 17 turns and 2.25 miles (3.22 kilometers). Racers regard VIR as a tight and technical circuit that requires a good front-end suspension setting from the machine. Signature turns are the “Roller Coaster” and the “Hog Pen” turn that leads onto the front straight and the finish line. Points Standings (after 14 races): 1. Ben Spies, Suzuki 501 2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki 456 3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda 387 4. Neil Hodgson, Parts Unlimited Ducati 358 5. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki 354 6. Aaron Yates, Suzuki 335 7. Jake Zemke, Honda 325 8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki 285 9. Ben Bostrom, Parts Unlimited Ducati 284 10. Larry Pegram, Honda 260